10 Cool Ways to Wear All Black in the Summer

It might be sizzling hot outside right now, but sometimes all black outfits are in order. These 10 black summer outfits will keep you cool while looking cool.

1. Black shorts with black off-the-shoulder top (original post)

2. Flowy jumpsuit (original post)

3. Black t-shirt dress (original post)

4. Black romper (original post)

5. Black tube top and back jeans (original post)

6. Black party skirt (original post)

7. Black eyelet dress (original post)

8. Black maxi dress (original post)

black summer outfits

9. Black lace blouse and shorts (original post)

10. Black peplum top and pants (original post)

Create your Black Summer Outfits with these pieces:

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All the Fun Tops in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I’m back with another Nordstrom Anniversary Sale post today (see other posts here and here). When I shopped the sale this year, I took advantage of a service Nordstrom offers to all its customers. I booked an appointment with a personal stylist, and I don’t think I’d shop Nordstrom any other way again. My stylist sent me a file with the entire sale inventory prior to the launch of the sale. I sent her my favorites. On the day of the sale, she had all my items pulled and organized in a super-sized fitting room.

When I first saw the Topshop Drawstring Sleeve Sheer Dot Blouse, I started imagining all the cool ways I can rock it this fall. So, I had to try it on. Once I did, it was an instant hit. Topshop items run small for me, so I’m wearing the top in a size 6, which fits perfectly. Here’s a peek at the top I purchased and a few other right-on-trend, fun tops in the sale.

Fun Tops Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Topshop Drawstring Sleeve Sheer Dot Blouse, $43.90 ($68)

BP. Tie-Front Blouse, $31.90 ($49) | Free People Off the Shoulder Pullover, $44.90 ($68)

Socialite Cutout Choker Tee, $17.90 ($28) | Soprano Off the Shoulder Top, $29.90 ($45)

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These July Sale Finds are Actually Worth Buying

It seems like every store is having a major sale right now. Talk about temptation! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by these summer sales, I’ve got you. I enjoy browsing all the picks to find the treasures. And, by treasures, I mean those fabulous items that you can wear again and again and even transition to early fall. Today, I’m featuring two items I’m really excited about. One is a luxe pair of high-waisted shorts (seen before here), and the other is a flowy off-the-shoulder top.

Off-the-shoulder top (c/0 Venus) | Tie-waist Shorts | Metallic Lace-up Sandals |

Lip: Mac “Fashion Legacy” | Sunglasses (under $8) | Straw fedora

The top is a light and drapey off-the-shoulder piece that swings with every move you make. It’s the kind of top that’ll quickly remind you that fashion could be fun. I got it in classic black for versatility and because the beautiful snaps in the front stand out best on the black top. I’m wearing the top in a size small, but an extra small would offer a more secure fit. So, I recommend sizing down in this one since the banding at the top is super stretchy. By the way, the top is now on sale for $21.99

This top is a must-have for me because of its overall style and versatility. I could wear it with everything from white jeans to blue jeans to leggings. It’ll be a style I can reach for during early fall as well.

For today’s post, I paired the top with another summer sale find that I’ve already been wearing a lot. It’s the fluid tie-waist shorts, now on sale for $25 (orig. $59). I immediately wanted these shorts because the tie-waist detail made them look so luxe. I’ve already dressed them up with a lace blouse and pumps for a summer party. In today’s post, I’m actually wearing them as basic black shorts without the belt.

A couple other items holding down this look deserve an honorable mention. My metallic lace-up sandals (currently on promo) prove once again that they go with everything. And, my current favorite sunglasses, which cost only $7.99, offer an affordable way to explore the mirrored sunnies trends.

Location: Central Library, Downtown, St. Louis

summer sales

 

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The Best Fitness Finds in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I shared my top picks in this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale last week. Nordstrom cardholders have early access to the sale now through July 20. The sale, then, opens to the general public on July 21 through August 6. I always find it helpful to see items on real people, so I thought I would check back in to share some of the items I actually purchased during the sale. Today’s post shares the activewear I bought. One item is a perennial favorite (Nike Free Focus Flyknit 2 Bionic Training Shoe), and the other is an item from a new-to-me brand (Zella Intrigue High Waist Crop Leggings).

Old top | Leggings | Sneakers

activewear

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym. Your girl is trying to meet her 2017 health goals. I go through so much activewear in one week that I like to periodically add new pieces to my wardrobe. It’s a chore, though, because my taste has become discerning. My activewear has to support the workouts I do, so it has to be moisture-wicking, soft, stretchy, and durable. Of course, I need my activewear to be stylish too. I also only wear black at the gym, so I look for items that have unique details. With all that said, I can now declare my LOVE for the two items I purchased in this year’s #NSale.

The Nike Free Focus Flyknit 2 Bionic Training Shoe was no surprise. This particular Nike style became my all-time favorite training shoe back in 2015 when I purchased this pair. They’re lightweight, breathable, flexible, and so perfect for the gym. They’re also true-to-size. I wear an 8.

This year, I was especially drawn to Zella leggings because of the cutout details on a couple styles. I had never tried anything from Zella before, but once I did, I became a fan. The leggings have that high-waist I prefer. They’re moisture-wicking. The cutouts look edgy and vent heat. I was so sure the leggings wouldn’t accommodate my thighs, but a size small fit perfectly. I often size up to a medium in other brands. By the way, I’ve already done a HIIT class in these leggings, and they stayed put for the entire hour. I never needed to pull ’em up. Zella has a new fan. Actually, I bought another pair of Zella crops.

P.S. I passed on the other pair of Zella leggings in my initial Nordstrom post because they were too long on me.

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Strut Your Stuff in this Jumpsuit! It’s on Sale for under $40

I often wish I could make my own clothes. You too? As I’ve grown older, my style preferences have grown more particular. And, I’m less inclined these days to settle for items that don’t meet all my demands. Since I don’t sew, I rely on those fortuitous occasions when a retailer creates something that’s just what I’m looking for. Today’s featured stripe jumpsuit is one of those items. And, I think you’re going to love it too.

Jumpsuit (c/0) | Sandals (option, option) | Bag (option, option) | Lip: Mac “Fashion Legacy”

Let me take a moment to share all the details that made me an instant fan of this jumpsuit. It has vertical stripes for a slimming silhouette. It has a strapless, sweetheart neckline to show off the shoulders. And, it features a right-on-trend wide-leg pants.

The jumpsuit fits true to size. For reference, I’m wearing a size small. I love that it’s stretchy but structured. I also love the back zip, which makes it easy to get on and off.

I’m going to have so much fun styling and restyling this jumpsuit. For fall, I’ll add layers. See below how I pair my white blazer with it.

For now, I’m wearing the stripe jumpsuit as is. In this look, I added a couple chokers, denim sandals, and a yellow clutch.

stripe jumpsuit

I’m also wearing one of my favorite red lipsticks—Mac “Fashion Legacy,” a Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour. I didn’t have a chance to check out the beauty tents in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but I’m really digging the deal on this lip kit, which includes one of these Retro Matte colors, a lip liner, and a lip primer.

Location: Facing the Christ Church Cathedral, Downtown, S. Louis

 

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